Poised for Exit
Welcome to the Poised for Exit podcast! Poised for Exit is an under 30-minute strategic planning guidance podcast for busy small business owners. Each week you’ll hear certified exit planning advisor, Julie Keyes, talk with a range of entrepreneurs and professionals about preparing your business for a future transition. Guests at every stage of company ownership will share their personal stories and lessons learned about topics such as the anatomy of the exit planning process, developing a growth strategy, how to sell on your terms, exit planning for women small business owners, handling business diversity, and how to sell a family business. Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or not, this show will provide you with the same action-oriented content that Julie utilizes while consulting with Keyestrategies clients. Building an exit strategy can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details you have to consider. “Poised for Exit” will simplify the process and help you unwrap the unknowns, giving you more confidence in your planning process. Previous episodes are available for download, so if you are new to our show, you can listen to them in any order that suits you. Join us each week for timely, relevant content that will surely impact your business exit outcome! Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive your weekly episode link and stay updated on new strategic planning content. Find “Poised for Exit” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and others. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sunbelt Business Advisers and JAK CPA's. A special note of thanks to Tyler Keyes who produced the music for the “Poised for Exit” show.
Poised for Exit
Private Equity With Purpose
In this episode of Poised for Exit, we’re joined by Leah Berend, founder and managing partner of Marrin Investment Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in and growing purpose-driven businesses. Leah shares her unique journey from a background in leadership and due diligence to founding her own firm, one that’s rooted in integrity, workforce culture, and long-term value creation.
We explore the common misconceptions around private equity and why many business owners overlook the importance of early, strategic exit planning. Leah discusses the critical role of due diligence, the psychology behind successful deals, and how her firm approaches investment with both structure and empathy.
Our conversation covers everything from Leah’s investment criteria and concerns about the future workforce, to her emphasis on governance, employee incentives, and culture-building as drivers of enterprise value.
If you’re a founder, advisor, or business owner, this episode offers grounded insights into how private equity, done with purpose, can be a powerful tool for transition and legacy!
Be sure to check out Leah's podcast: The Future of Private Equity
Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLC
Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor